Systems Thinking Tools

Increase pathways and opportunities for teachers to lead, especially those that continue to teach

Teacher Leader Summits

-There were several throughout the country

-Teachers submitted proposals for their ideas that they wanted to work on came together with their teams to develop their ideas for improving any aspect of education of their choice

Great story was shared about a group of students that came together with an idea to improve the graduation rate at their high school. It was powerful to listen to how they came together and worked through their idea.

Gaming the System: Teachers Hacking the Classroom

I decided to try something new on the 2nd day of the conference. Here is my 1st attempt at taking notes on the iPad using the Notepad+ app.

Dyslexia: Changing How We Think About Potential

Presenters

-Mom and son presented on dyslexia together

-People with dyslexia have to work 2-3 times as hard as everybody else to accomplish the same task -quote from audience member with dyslexia

-Look at your students with dyslexia in a different way and you'll realize they're some of the smartest people in the room

-Discussion about assumptions made regarding students in special education and receiving support services. Personal story from the presenter: She asked about what special education support services would be available for her son in the advanced placement classes. She was told that they have general education courses for their students receiving special education services. She had to set up a meeting at the district level.

-There's nothing that anyone can say to make me feel bad about my dyslexia. I was born with it and it's who I am. -Ben Cooper

-I had a teacher who finally told me there were ways to work with my dyslexia. It was the first time someone had said they could work WITH it instead of AROUND IT. -Audience member answer

-teachers made me feel stupid, didn't realize my potential. They thought I was a behavior problem. It was the worst time in my life -Ben Cooper